Photo of Cameroonian ex-minister sipping champagne at corruption trial trends

It has provoked humour as well as lamentation for different reasons.

The man in question is Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo’o, a former defence minister currently facing corruption charges. The photo was of him at a hearing in a court in the capital, Yaounde.

Reports indicate that he was charged in 2019 with diverting public funds and corruption, charges he denies.

He is currently on remand at the country’s main prison facility, the Kondengui prison, as the trial continued.

The photo, first published by local outlet Actu Cameroun showed him looking clean shaven and well groomed in a double-breasted grey suit, while holding a full champagne flute in his left hand, a BBC account noted.

Another outlet, Journal du Cameroun reports that the former Minister’s charges relate to award of military contracts, including one to a company linked to his wife between 2009 and 2015.

He was dismissed by President Paul Biya in Mr Ngo’o was sacked from government when he was serving as transport minister.